Parking and Traffic Regulations

FORWARD

The policies and regulations contained herein are given the effect of law by Senate Bill 162, 60th Legislature, 1967, of which Section 2 is quoted in part below:

"Each governing board of the State institutions of higher education of this State is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations for the safety and welfare of students, employees and property and such other rules and regulations as it may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act and the governance of the respective institutions, providing for the operation and parking of vehicles upon the grounds, streets, drives and alleys or any other institutional property under its control."

AMENDED 1993

Lamar University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer. Students, faculty, And staff members are selected without regard to their race, color, creed, sex, age, disability or ethnic origin, consistent with the Assurance of Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Executive Order 11246 as issued and amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

POLICY STATEMENT

The control of automobile vehicle traffic on campus is a necessary part of the efficient operation of the University. During business hours, certain areas are adequate only for those vehicles necessary to University business. The purpose of these regulations is to facilitate the safe and orderly conduct of University business and to provide parking facilities in support of this function within the limits of available space. These rules and regulations are part of the rules and regulations of the University, and as such are to be observed by members of the staff, faculty, and student body.

In these regulations the term "campus" includes all property under the control and jurisdiction of Lamar University and LIT.

Texas laws governing the use of motor vehicles, in addition to the following regulations, are effective at Lamar University and LIT.

The University assumes no responsibility for the care and/or protection of any vehicle or its contents at any-time it is operated or parked on campus.

The University reserves the right to remove and impound abandoned motor vehicles (defined in Section X. Towing or Impounding of Vehicles) or any vehicle found on campus without a permit, with unanswered parking tickets, with an unauthorized or altered permit, with no license plates, parked in a tow-away zone, or parked in such a way as to constitute a serious hazard to vehicles or pedestrian traffic or to the movement and operation of emergency equipment.

The owner will be responsible for cost involved in removing, impounding, and storing such vehicles.

The University will assume no responsibility for cost involved in removing, impounding, and storing of such vehicles.

The University will assume no responsibility for damages to those vehicles moved by the University.

The University reserves the right to change any or all parts of these regulations as necessary, during the current academic year. All changes will be published in the "University Press."

PERMIT REGISTRATION

Any student, faculty or staff member who wishes to park a motor vehicle on property owned or controlled by the University must purchase a Lamar University parking permit. Motor vehicles shall include all automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, motorbikes, motorscooters, or any other vehicle that is self-propelled.

LU students will purchase their parking permit as part of their academic registration procedure at the beginning of each academic year or semester. Students will need to log into Self-Service Banner to request the specific parking permit needed by selecting the parking tab. The permit will be charged to the student's account. The student will then have the option to either have the permit mailed to the address provided (for an additional $3.50) or pick up the permit at the Parking Office before classes begin. LIT students must purchase and pick up their permits at the Cashier's window located on the 2nd floor of the Beeson Building.

Faculty and staff will need to log into Self-Service Banner to request the specific parking permit needed by selecting the parking tab. All employee permits will be purchased through payroll deduction. Faculty and staff have the option to either have the permit mailed to the provided address (for an additional $3.50) or pick up the permit at the Parking Office before the beginning of the academic year or the term for which the permit is needed.

Permit registration is available during each term and begins on August 1 for the upcoming academic year. Fees for each permit and all classifications of students (except students enrolled in online courses) are as follows:

Continuing Education students enrolled in short, special, and seminar courses are responsible for all provisions of these rules and regulations. The parking fees for continuing education students are as follows:

Each Permit:1-3 weeks - $34-6 weeks - $5Semester - $10

Faculty/Staff Registration Fees (Non-Reserved):

$48 per year or $4 per month, regardless of salary, including any portion of month purchased.

Faculty/Staff Registration Fees (Reserved):

Less than $25,000 salary - $60 per year or $5 per month, including any portion of month purchased.

$25,000 to $60,000 salary - $72 per year or $6 per month, including any portion of month purchased.

Over $60,000 salary - $84 per year or $7 per month, including any portion of month purchased.

Persons less than 50% time and less than $10,000 salary - $12 per year or $1 per month, including any portion of month purchased, plus a $10 deposit required if a card key is needed. Deposit is refundable upon return of card key to Parking Office.

Temporary help, etc. - $1 per week or maximum of $10 per semester, plus a $10 deposit required if a card key is needed. Deposit is refundable upon return of card key.

Refunds: A request for refund will not be honored unless it is filed with the Parking Office during the University's fiscal year in which payment for the permit was made.

A request for refund must be accompanied by a sizable portion of the decal or the return of the hanging permit. Refunds will be made to members of the faculty and staff upon request in the event service is terminated. The refund will be based on the number of full months remaining in the University's permit year.

Student parking refunds will be in accordance with current academic catalog refund policies. A request for a refund will not be honored when a person's privilege to park on campus has been suspended or if outstanding charges or other debts remain unpaid.

Faculty, staff and students who purchase a parking permit may transfer the permit to any vehicle they wish. The individual who purchases the permit, however, will be responsible for violations by any vehicle bearing or displaying the permit.

To be valid, a hanging permit must be clearly visible and hanging from the rear view mirror of the vehicle. In the event that no rear view mirror is present, place the permit in the center of the dash. It must be in clear, full view. It is recommended that a piece of tape be used to secure permit in place on the dash. A permit must not be defaced or altered in any way.

The theft or loss of a parking permit should be reported to the Parking Office immediately. The replacement cost will be the same as the purchase price for that current semester. There will be a $10.00 fee for all lost or stolen card-keys to gate-controlled lots.

Replacement permits will be issued without charge where there is a defective permit, or change of classification, provided the original permit is returned to the Parking Office. If the permit is not returned, the full parking fee will be charged.

Faculty, staff, and students who receive a citation for parking on Lamar University property without a valid permit displayed, should deliver the citation to the Parking Office and explain the circumstances. If you have a valid permit bring it with you. If you receive a citation while doing parking business and you are parked legal that citation will be dismissed. Two no-permit citations will be excused during the school year and recorded at the Parking Office for those who have purchased a valid permit. Additional citations will result in a $5.00 service fee for each occurrence.

Accessibility Parking for Disabilities

Lamar University values diversity and providing the best possible access for customers with disabilities which exceeds the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Customers with disabilities desiring accessible parking must present the parking and transportation office with a state issued disability placard before receiving a Lamar University accessible parking permit.

Here are some helpful steps in obtaining access to our accessible parking:

When registering for a parking permit, present a copy or state issued placard.

Any additional accommodation request to have the best physical access should be directed to the Disabilities Resource Center.

After completing registration, you can park in any disability parking space or standard space with your permit.

Temporary permits may need to be renewed each semester or until a standard state issued permanent placard is received.

Permanently disabled persons are entitled to special parking if verified through the State of Texas. There will be no fee for the Lamar University parking permit. However, all other rules and regulations will apply.

Temporarily disabled persons are entitled to special parking dependent upon available space.

The full parking fee will be charged for all temporarily handicapped persons.

Persons not covered by any of the above special provisions must produce a signed letter from their doctor stating the need for temporary parking, the length needed, along with proper identification. The maximum length of this permit will be either the fall or spring semester. Summer I and II will be combined. A new letter is needed each semester.

When it becomes necessary for a person to park in one of the gate-controlled lots, a $10.00 deposit will be charged for each card key issued. The deposit will be refunded when the card key is returned to the Parking Office. If a card key is lost or stolen, an additional $10.00 fee will be charged for a new key.

For additional support or accommodation requests, please feel free to contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC), either by phone 409-880-8347 or by email: drc@lamar.edu.

Special Plates

All disabled veterans, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, former Prisoners of War, Pearl Harbor survivors, Purple Heart recipients, and all disabled persons, whose vehicles display the specially designed license plates and placards issued by the State Department of Transportation printed thereon, in compliance with the provisions of Sections 502.253, 502.254, 502.255, 502.257, 502.259, 502.260, 681.006, and 681.008, Texas Transportation Code, are exempt from the payment of fees or charges for parking located on the campus.

All disabled veterans and Congressional Medal of Honor recipients are further exempt from the payment of all parking fees on campus. A current University parking permit and the appropriate license plate or placard or hangtag from the Texas Department of Transportation or disabled permit from the County Tax Assessor Collector must be displayed before parking in specially designated disabled parking areas on campus.

PARKING

Parking permit assignments are made on the basis of a student's classification. Special lots are reserved for Seniors (with 105 earned hours or more) and for University employees.

There are two faculty/staff permits available:

Reserved Permit holders can park in any reserved faculty/staff lot.

Non-Reserved Permit holders can park in any non-reserved lot or student lot.

Faculty and Staff of Lamar-Beaumont, Lamar State College-Port Arthur and LIT who have properly registered their vehicles have reciprocal parking privileges. Students of LIT also have the same reciprocal agreement. Permit holders should familiarize themselves with the Rules and Regulations enforced at each campus to avoid citations.

Student parking areas are designated by letter. Student vehicles may be parked only in the lots indicated by the parking permits. Lot assignments are as follows:

ALL PERMITS: Commuting and resident academic students are allowed to park in these parking lots:A-1 and A-2 - South of Provost-Umphrey StadiumA-5 - North of Montagne CenterC-1 - Setzer Student Center (only after 12:00 pm)C-2 - South of LIT Multipurpose CenterC-3 - Between LIT Multipurpose Center and LU Health Science BuildingD-1 and D-2 - Tennis CourtsD-4 - Communications BuildingF-1 and F-2 - Cardinal VillageG-2 - North of Reaud BuildingH-2 and H-3 - Vincent-Beck StadiumH-8 - Between Iowa and GeorgiaJ-4 - Across from TrackAny Temporary Lot

S PERMIT: Seniors with 105 earned hours or more may park in Lot C-1 or any other commuter lot.

EMPLOYEES: Faculty, administration, and full-time staff may any all-permit parking lot except where prohibited by signs.

MOTORCYCLE PARKING: All motorcycles, motorbikes, and motorized scooters must bear a current parking permit. These vehicles may also be parked in designated motorcycle parking areas. (See Map)

RESERVED PARKING

Admittance to any reserved parking area is by authorization of the Parking Office only. Any person who is assigned to a reserved area and finds an unauthorized vehicle parked in his area should report the unauthorized vehicle to the University Police Department.

Any vehicle with a valid permit can park in a space marked reserved, or a gate controlled lot after 5:00 p.m. (unless marked otherwise) or if the lot is being used for a special event. If a gate is in the up position during a period that the University is open for business, the lot is still restricted for Faculty/Staff.

Any space marked RESERVED, even in a non-gated lot is reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise marked for Faculty/Staff.

*NOTE: Lot G4 and G8 are reserved 24 hours, 7 days a week.

BICYCLE REGULATIONS

DEFINITION: A bicycle is any device designated to travel on two, but not more than three wheels, and propelled by human power.

All persons owning or riding bicycles on the Lamar campus shall observe and obey all applicable State and municipal laws and ordinances. Furthermore, the following University regulations will be enforced:

Bicycles must be parked in parking racks (if available).

Bicycles will not be secured to any tree, shrub, post or any other fixed object by means of any locking device.

Bicycles shall not be permitted inside any University building except a garage.

The operator of any bicycle must yield right of way to any pedestrian at all times.

Violations of this policy will result in the bicycle being locked up or removed to the University Police Department, where the owner may retrieve his property upon proper owner identification.

All abandoned bicycles on the Lamar campus will be impounded and held for a period of 60 days and then disposed of.

There is no fee for bicycle registration, but all persons are urged to register their bicycles for identification purposes. The Parking Office will furnish the permit and it should be attached in a conspicuous place.

PARKING AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS FOR FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS, AND VISITORS

All of those regulations embodied in the Statutes of the State of Texas and in the Ordinances of the city of Beaumont governing and regulating vehicular traffic are applicable to and will be enforced on the Lamar campus. In addition, the following regulations which are unique to this institution will be enforced.

Not in designated parking space. MUST BE BETWEEN TWO YELLOW LINES IN PERMANENT LOTS AND FRONT TIRES AGAINST PARKING STOP IN TEMPORARY LOTS.

Parking in Visitors Area. Students are not allowed to park in any of those areas designated for visitor parking under any circumstances.

Parking across marker lines. The entire vehicle, whether parking parallel, diagonal, or vertical, must be within the boundaries of the parking space. The fact that other vehicles are parked with impropriety will not constitute an excuse for parking with any part of the vehicle over the line.

Parked in roadway. PAVED PORTION DESIGNED FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.

Motorcycle parking only. AREA DESIGNATED FOR MOTORCYCLES.

Parking in area not designated a proper parking area. (Turf or grass).

In all moving violations, the violator will be issued a citation to appear in the Justice of the Peace Court, or the Parking Office. Parking violators will be issued citations to appear at the Parking Office or Justice of the Peace Court.

In any event, when a person receives a citation, they should comply with the instructions on the citation.

VIOLATION PENALTIES

Students, staff, and faculty members receiving Lamar University parking citations should report to the Cashier's Office within fourteen (14) school days to pay the reinstatement fee for each citation received. Any disputes concerning citations should be addressed in person at the Parking Office.

The amount of reinstatement fee for each violation is as follows:

Parking violation #1-12 $20.00

Parking violation #13 A thru H $40.00

Parking violation #14 $40.00

Parking violation #15 $200.00

Parking violation #16 $50.00

Other Penalties

Falsification of information on permit registration cards or other forms pertaining to permit registration, displaying a falsely made or altered permit, or displaying or possessing a lost or stolen permit - $100.00 penalty fee.

Suspension of parking privileges as provided under the Texas Ed. Code Section 51.207, Lamar University reserves the right to suspend the parking privileges of any permit holder for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months under any of the following conditions:

Possession of a lost or stolen parking permit.

Displaying a fraudulent parking permit.

A person deemed to be a "habitual violator." A "habitual violator" is defined as a person who has recorded in his name three (3) or more unpaid or outstanding parking citations. Reinstatement of parking privileges may be granted upon application, payment of parking fee, and approval of the Director of Parking.

Violation of Suspension A student or an employee who parking privileges have been suspended and continues to park a motor-vehicle on University property, the vehicle will be towed and the student will be referred to Student Services and the employee to his Dean or Department Head.

ENFORCEMENT

CITATIONS: Lamar University Police are authorized to issue two types of citations for violation of campus parking and traffic regulations.

University parking citations are handled by the Parking Office subject to a right of appeal to the Student Court.

Court appearance citations are issued by the University Police and constitute a summons to appear in the Peace Justice Court. Criminal penalties as provided by law, may be imposed by the Peace Justice Court for violations of University Parking and Traffic Regulations.

TOWING OR IMPOUNDING OF VEHICLES

The University Police and Parking Office personnel are authorized to remove or impound motor-vehicles on Lamar University property under the following circumstances:

When, in the opinion of the University Police, a motor vehicle should be removed in the interest of the safety of persons or property because of fire, flood, storm, snow or other emergency reasons, it may be removed.

A motor-vehicle illegally parked in a designated reserved parking space.

A motor-vehicle parked in a designated tow-away zone.

A motor-vehicle parked outside of a designated parking area on the grass or turf.

A motor-vehicle left unattended continuously for more than 48 hours under such circumstances which indicate it has been abandoned.

A motor-vehicle whose displayed permit or license number has accumulated three (3) or more outstanding, unanswered parking citations.

A motor vehicle parked in a designated fire lane.

Violation of a conditional release.

Blocking a legally parked vehicle.

This is at the owner's expense and transportation will not be provided.

NO ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO ALLOW ANOTHER ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLE OUT.

The University Police and the Parking Office require owners of vehicles towed or impounded, to satisfy any penalties, costs, or fees properly imposed and legally due before releasing such vehicles.

Owners of such vehicles will be responsible for costs involved in removing, impounding, and storing of such vehicles. The University will assume no responsibility for damages to those vehicles moved by the University.

EXTENSIONS AND APPEALS

If a student believes the parking citation is unwarranted, they may report to the parking office where an appeal may be filed and an appearance before the Student Court scheduled. The appeal must be filed within fourteen (14) school days of the ticket issuance, and a bond equal to the reinstatement fee must be paid within that same fourteen days. Failure to comply within the prescribed time limit shall constitute forfeiture of all appeal privileges. If the appeal results in a ruling in favor of the appellee, the bond will be refunded.

If the person appealing is not present when their appeal comes before the Student Court for consideration, the appeal will be decided on the basis of the written statement contained in the notice of appeal.

Faculty and staff members desiring to appeal a citation may do so through the Chief of Police.

When any person has a case filed with the Peace Justice Court, they may not appeal to the Student Court, but must appear in the court designated at the time and place specified on the citation.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The University Police Department is located in the Post Office building. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week; all accidents, thefts, and offenses that occur on campus should be reported immediately.

The Parking Office of Lamar University is located on the first floor of the Wimberly Student Services Building. Parking office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

All permits are to be picked up at the Beaumont Campus Parking Office except for LIT students and full time LIT faculty and staff. These permits are to be picked up at the LIT cashier's office.

All LIT employees and students must use the LIT cashier's office to pay for permits and tickets. All Lamar University employees and students must use the LU cashier's office to pay for permits and tickets.

A record of all serial numbers or valuables should be kept. Mark your auto accessories so that they may be identified. Write your name, address, and student number in all textbooks.

Keys or valuables should not be left in the car. Always keep your car locked.

When planning student functions and activities, notify the University Police Department at least one week in advance so that necessary traffic control arrangements may be made. The University Police Department will cooperate and assist faculty, staff, and student organizations by supplying needed or requested police service if possible.

Effective 8-01-2009, an employee or contract employee who has an unpaid parking ticket, a Library fine, or owes the University money for any other reason at the end of a fiscal year may not purchase a parking permit nor have access to Library services for the following fiscal year until the debt is paid or dismissed.

The employee's vehicle will be subject to being towed if parked on campus without a current parking permit.